Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Nevilledog

(50,659 posts)
Tue Jul 7, 2020, 05:29 PM Jul 2020

Separated: Inside an American Tragedy by Jacob Soboroff

https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-299219-2

MSNBC correspondent Soboroff examines the origins and ramifications of the Trump administration’s “deliberate and systemic separation of thousands of migrant children from their parents” in his harrowing and deeply informed debut.

One of several journalists who brought attention to the family separation controversy after touring a Texas holding facility in 2018, Soboroff sketches the history of “deterrence-based immigration policy” under presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama, and details how Trump’s ire over an increase in migrant detentions led attorney general Jeff Sessions to mandate criminal charges for anyone caught illegally crossing the border.

Drawing on interviews with border security agents and White House staffers, Soboroff describes key moments in the decision-making process behind family separation, and punctuates his analysis with excerpts from asylum requests. The story of 12-year-old José and his father, Juan, who fled Guatemala for the U.S. only to be detained for months in separate facilities, is interwoven throughout. Though Trump was forced to back down from his “zero-tolerance” approach to border enforcement, and the issue has since fallen out of the headlines, Soboroff contends that the administration is still causing “immeasurable pain and unexpected suffering” to migrants. He presents a wealth of insider details, balancing his own sense of outrage with dogged reporting and vivid sketches of impacted families. The result is an impassioned, essential account of “one of the most shameful chapters in modern American history.” (July)
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Separated: Inside an American Tragedy by Jacob Soboroff (Original Post) Nevilledog Jul 2020 OP
Jacob Soboroff is one of the best things about MSNBC. HotTeaBag Jul 2020 #1
for the children... abqtommy Jul 2020 #2
"...most shameful chapters in modern American history." leftieNanner Jul 2020 #3
Was going to put Rachel's clip up, but don't know how to link it. Nevilledog Jul 2020 #5
I remember when they refused to let the children have free flu vaccines, even after 3 kids had died EleanorR Jul 2020 #4
 

HotTeaBag

(1,206 posts)
1. Jacob Soboroff is one of the best things about MSNBC.
Tue Jul 7, 2020, 05:36 PM
Jul 2020

Garrett Haake, Cal Perry, Soboroff and Ali Velshi are the glue that keeps the network together outside of Rachael and Brian...in my very humble opinion.

Though Stephanie Ruhle rules.

leftieNanner

(14,997 posts)
3. "...most shameful chapters in modern American history."
Tue Jul 7, 2020, 05:40 PM
Jul 2020

Truly. And it's not history yet. It's still happening. We are still caging children.

He was on Rachel's show last night. I know that I can't read a book like that because it would rip my heart out and throw if off a 100 story building.

I'm very glad that he is shining a light on this vile and cruel aspect of the Administration.

EleanorR

(2,373 posts)
4. I remember when they refused to let the children have free flu vaccines, even after 3 kids had died
Tue Jul 7, 2020, 05:50 PM
Jul 2020

One boy died alone on a concrete floor. They're all just monsters.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Separated: Inside an Amer...